Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Archaeological Sites

5:00 pm

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department is planning to move the Turoe Stone Galway from its environment; if his attention has been drawn to the local opposition to this; if international practice has been considered in the case of The Turoe Stone; if this policy is extended to other national monuments around the country; if the policy will not be extended, the reason the Turoe Stone has been singled out. [21255/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Turoe Stone in Galway is a national monument in the ownership of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. While the Stone itself is in State ownership, it is located on privately owned lands, currently in use as a pet farm. The monument was moved before in the 19th century, having originally been located several miles away at the Rath of Feerwore.

Concerns have been increasing about the deterioration in the condition of the monument. Reports from a specialist company, commissioned in 1995 and again in 2005, by the Office of Public Works, which manages the monument on behalf of my Department, found it to be suffering from adverse weathering, water damage and human contact with considerable loss of carved detail on the stone's surface.

In the course of subsequent discussions between my Department and OPW on the future conservation of the Stone it was agreed, as an initial temporary measure, to build a small shed-like structure around it to protect it from further weathering. This work was carried out in 2005 and the temporary shed remains in place. A notice was placed in the local papers stating that the Stone was being closed to the public until further notice.

Further environmental monitoring of the Stone's condition since it was put under cover has confirmed that : covering the stone has killed off organic growths or rendered them dormant ; areas of surface friability are still present, with a high risk that loose grains will continue to be lost; reduction in lichen cover has revealed previously unnoticed damage; and, the temporary shelter for the stone has not eliminated the risk of freeze/thaw damage. It was concluded in the circumstances that the necessary cleaning and stabilising of the surfaces of the Stone should be undertaken as a priority and that moving the Stone to an environmentally controlled indoor location would be in the best interests of ensuring that it does not suffer more, irreversible damage.

My Department subsequently requested the views of the Director of the National Museum on the long-term protection of the Stone. In response, the Director indicated his agreement that the only way to ensure it remains in good condition and retains its unique decorative features would be to move it to a controlled indoor environment. In the light of the advice I have received I am in agreement that, to secure its protection in the longer term, the Stone should be moved to an environmentally-controlled indoor location, where it will not be further exposed to the effects of weathering.

The National Museum has indicated that it is satisfied, following discussions and an inspection, that the new Galway City Museum is a suitable location for the Turoe Stone. A high quality replica has been completed and will be put in place at the same time as the original stone is moved. Given the international importance of the Stone there is clearly an onus on the State to secure its integrity in the longer-term. Its replacement by a high quality replica on site will at the same time serve to give visitors an appropriate impression of what the Stone is like in its current setting. The proposed approach, which is fully in accordance with archaeological best practice, was communicated to local public representatives and to the land-owner. To date my Department has received one letter from a local member of the public objecting to the proposal.

Arising from deterioration in their condition and threats of further damage a number of other monuments have been moved to indoor locations either in their vicinity or to a museum. High Crosses at Clonmacnoise, a stone carved in the La Tene style formerly located at Killycluggan, Co. Cavan and Crosses at Durrow, Co. Offaly have all been protected in this manner. The question of whether any other monuments under threat of damage require protection from the elements in a similar way, will be considered, as appropriate on a case by case basis. There is increasing evidence at European level that the effects of climate change can have serious implications for archaeological monuments.

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